BY ADAM JOE

France’s biggest newspaper, Le Monde, say the Catalans Dragons signing of the ‘banished’ Israel Folau will make or break the club who have spent many years on the cusp of becoming a Super League powerhouse without ever getting there.

The rugby league world went into meltdown this week when the Catalans confirmed the signing of the outspoken Folau on a one-year deal.

“Away from the field since April 2019, the triple “best player of the year” of the Wallabies (in 2014, 2015 and 2017) aspires to find the lawns,” the Le Monde article reported.

“’I am impatiently awaiting my return to the fantastic sport of XIII rugby,’ concludes the man who made his debut there, at the age of 17, before going to the XV in 2013.

Who would you rather playing rugby league? The crazy man we can ignore or the ones we can’t ignore but choose to anyway?

“In reaction to the announcement of this signing, the English club of the Wigan Warriors decided on Tuesday to make the day of March 22, where they will receive the Catalans, a “pride day”, dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. ‘Today, more than usual, it is vital to reiterate that anyone interested in our sport should feel welcome and respected,’ said club director Kris Radlinski in a statement.

“If they don’t spit fire, this year the Catalan Dragons could smell like sulfur.”